NAACP: Phoenix police chief decision had racial backing

The Maricopa County NAACP said current Phoenix Assistant Chief Kevin Robinson -- one of four finalists for the top job -- was passed over because he is black.

"It's sad to say, and I don't want to put race in this, but it seems to be that whenever there's a highly-qualified black person, we don't seem to want to elevate them," NAACP President Oscar Tillman told ABC15.

Tillman was upset that city leaders did not consult him during the search.

"Relations between the city and the NAACP are not a little strained, they are very strained right now," he said.